Western disturbance causes drizzle in Delhi, snow in Himachal (Lead)

New Delhi/Shimla, March 25 (IANS) A slight drizzle in the national capital caused the mercury to dip, as fresh snow in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh intensified cold in the hill state. “There was a drizzle in Delhi because of western disturbances. But there would not be rains Thursday,” said an official at the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

The official said the maximum temperature in the capital was 30.4 degree Celsius, which is two degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 19.4 degree Celsius - four degree above the normal temperature.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature at Shimla was 6.8 degrees Celsius, at Bhuntar 10.2 and Dharamsala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, recorded 8.1.

According to the met officials in Shimla, upper areas of Himachal received moderate to heavy spell of snow since Tuesday evening.

The Rohtang Pass, located at an altitude of 13,050 feet in Kullu district, saw heavy snow, while Keylong, the headquarter town of Lahaul and Spiti district, recorded four centimeters of snow.

Snow-bound Pangi valley, Tisa and Bharmour in Chamba district also received snow, while the historic town of Chamba experienced showers. It rained heavily in the tourist resort of Manali while the hills surrounding the town had snow.

Kasauli in Solan district recorded 36.5 mm rain, followed by Sundernagar (16.8 mm), Mandi (14.3 mm) and Shimla (5.3 mm).